John c



J.v C. YEISER.

GAR GOUI LING- Patented Apr. 9, 1895.

' (Hommel.)

l n, .mr WIND /l Ivg L Nrrnn STATES ATENT iii-Fics.

JOHN O. YEISER, OF AUSTIN, TEXAS, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-FOURTH TO WILLIAM THIELE, OF SAME PLACE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 537,37*?, dated April 9, 1895.

' Application filed December 3, 1894:. Serial No. 530,661: (No model.)

To all whom it may concern,.-

Be it known that l, JOHN C. YEISER, residing at Austin, in the county of Travis and State of Texas, have invented a new and Improved Oar-Coupling Link, of which the following is a specification.

My invention is in the nature of an improved coupling link for use in the ordinary link and pin coupling heads, and it has primarily for its object to provide a link of this character which will remain set in a coupling position at all times, so that the coupling of the cars can be edected in an automatic manner.

It has also for its object to provide a coupling link which can be conveniently adjusted so as to couple draw heads of different heights.

A further object is to provide'a coupling link so constructed and arranged that it will have a leverage portion which will serve to regulate the up and downniotion thereof and effectually prevent jerking when the 'cars are in motion. i Y.

With further minor objects in view which hereinafter will appear, my invention consists in a car coupling constructed substantially in the manner first described in detail and then specilically pointed out in the appended claim, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure l isa perspective view of two coupling heads, showing my improved link applied. Fig. 2 is a longitudinal section of two draw heads showing the link arranged for coupling with a high opposing draw head. Fig. 3 is a similar view showing the link adjusted to couple with a low draw head. Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the link and Figs. 5 and 6 are cross sections taken respectively on the lines 5-5 and 6-6 of Fig. 4.

In its practical construct-ion my improved coupling link is so arranged that when once seated in position in one draw head, it will be always in a position to couple automatically with an opposing draw head whether such opposing head be higher or lower, its free or coupling end being peculiarly shaped to form a convenient handle portion whereby it can be conveniently grasped in the hand.

Referring now to the detailed construction of my improved link, A indicates what I term the body portion and B the combined coupling member and handle portion. The front end of portion B, has a straight upper face b, which curves on the edges, and which forms the outer draw member, which in practice is somewhat heavier than the ordinary link..

C indicates the front or outer section of the pin receiving slot, and O the inner portion thereof. Such outer section O it will be seen from Fig. 4, is somewhat wider than the inner portion O', such section C ending about midway of the link.

D indicates foot portions or lugs formed on `the under face of the link at a point just to the rear of the meeting point of the slot sections C O, the purpose of which will presently appear.

The side members B B of the coupling end are cut down or reduced in thickness as at b', from the shoulder b2 to the dat face b and such side members are curved upward as best illustrated in Figs. 2 and 3, so that the draw :portion l) will be in a plane higher than the draw portion a at the inner end.

By constructing the end B of the link in the manner stated a three fold result is attained; first, such end of the link is made much higher than the rear end, 'thereby rendering the coupling action of the link automatic, as the bodyA when inserted in a draw head will seat itself by gravity with its end B projected outward, and when arranged to couple with a higher draw bar, the foot portions D will act as a fulcrum thereby causing the front end to project upward as indicated in Fig. 2; secondly, when coupled with a higher draw head, the foot portions D act as a fulcrum when the cars are in motion, and prevent jerking, as the pull on the outer draw portion being on a plane higher than the draw on the rear portion, the link will have as it were a slight rocking motion, which produces a slight change of bearing surface on the pins, as indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 2; thirdly, as the mem- 9 bers B are reduced in diameter to a point ending at the shoulder (produced by the up` lt is manifest that as the section O of the roo 'slot is Wider than the other portion C the :coupling pin of the opposing draw head, will easily drop into place when jarred by the contact of the draw heads.

When itis desired to couple with aloweropposing draw head, the link is turned to the position shown in Fig. 3.

My improved link is made much shorter and heavier than the ordinary hand operated link, and will couple cars up closer than the ordinary link. Being shorter and heavier it will last longer and is not so easily broken, as the slack or jerk motion is reduced to a minimum. It is always in position for coupling automatically i 'sa setze?? 

